2006 FORD EXPLORER traction control

Seating and Safety Restraints 114
Seating 114
Safety restraints 126
Airbags 141
Child restraints 155
Tires, Wheels and Loading 170
Tire Information 172
Tire Inflation 175
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 186
Vehicle loading 192
Trailer towing 199
Recreational towing 205
Driving 207
Starting 207
Brakes 210
Traction control/AdvanceTrac 212
Transmission operation 217
Roadside Emergencies 235
Getting roadside assistance 235
Hazard flasher switch 237
Fuel pump shut-off switch 237
Fuses and relays 238
Changing tires 246
Lug Nut Torque 255
Jump starting 256
Wrecker towing 261
Customer Assistance 262
Reporting safety defects (U.S. only) 268
Table of Contents
2

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA A B C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The
grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
173

10.Tire Ply Composition and Material Used:Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
11.Maximum Load:Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label, which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver's door, for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
12.Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
²Treadwear:The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1
1¤2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
²Traction:The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
²Temperature:The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
13.Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure:Indicates the tire
manufacturers' maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturer's recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label or Tire Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of the
driver's door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower than
the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
179

USING SNOW TIRES AND TRACTION DEVICES
Snow tires must be the same size and grade as the tires you
currently have on your vehicle.
The tires on your vehicle have all-weather treads to provide traction in
rain and snow. However, in some climates, using snow tires or traction
devices may be necessary. Ford offers tire cables as a Ford approved
accessory and recommends use of these or SAE class ªSº tire cables. See
your authorized dealer for more information on tire cables for your
vehicle.
Follow these guidelines when using snow tires and traction devices:
²Cables or chains should only be used on the rear wheels.
²Install cables or chains securely, verifying that the cables or chains do
not touch any wiring, brake lines or fuel lines.
²Drive cautiously. If you hear the cables or chains rub or bang against
the vehicle, stop and retighten them. If this does not work, remove the
cables or chains to prevent vehicle damage.
²Avoid overloading your vehicle.
²Remove the cables or chains when they are no longer needed.
²Do not use cables or chains on dry roads.
²Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h) with tire cables or chains on your
vehicle.
Consult your authorized dealer for information on other Ford Motor
Company approved methods of traction control.
VEHICLE LOADING ± WITH AND WITHOUT A TRAILER
This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or
trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating
capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's
Safety Compliance Certification Label:
Base Curb Weight± is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Tires, Wheels and Loading
192

ADVANCETRACTWITH ROLL STABILITY CONTROLY(RSC)
STABILITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
The AdvanceTractwith RSC system provides stability enhancement
features such as Roll Stability Controly(RSC), Electronic Stability
Control (ESC) and Traction Control (TCS) for certain driving situations.
The system includes an AdvanceTractwith RSC on/off button, and a
ªsliding carº icon in the instrument cluster.
Some drivers may notice a slight movement of the brake pedal when the
AdvanceTractwith RSC performs a system self-check. During
AdvanceTractwith RSC operation you may experience the following:
²A rumble, grunting, or grinding noise after startup and when driving
off
²A slight deceleration of the vehicle
²The AdvanceTractwith RSC indicator light will flash when the system
is activated.
²If your foot is on the brake pedal, you will feel a vibration in the
pedal.
²If the driving condition is severe and your foot is not on the brake, the
brake pedal will move to apply higher brake forces. You may also hear
a whoosh of air from under the instrument panel during this severe
condition.
Traction Control
Traction Control helps your vehicle maintain traction, when driving on
slippery and/or hilly road surfaces, by detecting and controlling wheel
spin. Excessive wheel spin is controlled by momentarily reducing engine
power and/or applying the anti-lock brakes. Traction Control is a driver
aid that helps your vehicle.
If your vehicle should become stuck in deep snow or mud, try switching
the AdvanceTractwith RSC system off by pressing the AdvanceTract
with RSC button momentarily. This will allow your tires to ªdigº for
traction.
If the AdvanceTractwith RSC system is activated excessively in a short
period of time, the brake portion of the system will disable to allow the
brakes to cool down. In this situation, Traction Control will use only
engine power reduction to help control the wheels from over-spinning.
When the brakes have cooled down, the system will again function
normally. Anti-lock braking, RSC and ESC are not affected by this
condition and will function normally during the cool-down period.
Driving
212

If the vehicle is stuck in snow or mud or when driving in deep sand,
switching off the AdvanceTrac with RSC system may be beneficial so the
wheels are allowed to spin. If your vehicle seems to lose engine power
while driving in deep sand or very deep snow, switching off the
AdvanceTrac with RSC stability enhancement feature will restore full
engine power and will enhance momentum through the obstacle.
During Traction Control events the9sliding car9icon in the instrument
cluster will flash momentarily.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with RSC system may enhance
your vehicle's stability during adverse maneuvers.
The AdvanceTractwith RSC system helps the driver maintain steering
control. AdvanceTractwith RSC will attempt to correct the vehicle
motion by applying brake force at individual tires and, if necessary, by
reducing engine power.
During Electronic Stability Control events the9sliding car9icon in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
Driving maneuvers which may activate AdvanceTractwith RSC system
include:
²Taking a turn too fast.
²Maneuvering quickly to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle.
²Driving over a patch of ice.
²Changing lanes on a snow-rutted road.
²Entering a snow-free road from a snow-covered side street, or vice
versa.
²Entering a paved road from a gravel road, or vice versa.
²Driving on slick surfaces.
²Cornering while towing a heavily loaded trailer (refer toTrailer
towingin theTires, Wheels and Loadingchapter.)
Roll Stability Controly(RSC)
The RSC system works in conjunction with the AdvanceTractsystem to
help maintain roll stability of the vehicle during aggressive maneuvers by
applying brake force to one or more wheels.
During Roll Stability Controly(RSC) events the9sliding car9icon in the
instrument cluster will flash momentarily.
Driving
213

Driving conditions that may activate AdvanceTractwith RSC include:
²Emergency lane-change
²Taking a turn too fast
²Quick maneuvering to avoid an accident, pedestrian or obstacle
AdvanceTractwith RSC button and icon functionality
The AdvanceTractwith RSC system automatically turns on each time
the engine is started. AdvanceTractwith RSC system status is indicated
by a warning indicator light with a ªsliding carº icon in the instrument
cluster that will flash when the system is active. In R (Reverse), ABS and
the Traction Control feature will continue to function, however ESC and
RSC are disabled.
The AdvanceTractwith RSC button
allows the driver to control certain
features of the AdvanceTractwith
RSC system below 25 mph (40
km/h). If an attempt is made to
disable the AdvanceTractwith RSC
system above 25 mph (40 km/h), the ªsliding carº icon will illuminate
solid if pressed momentarily, however, the AdvanceTractwith RSC
system will remain enabled until the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph
(40 km/h). Pressing the AdvanceTractwith RSC button momentarily will
disable engine Traction Control, ESC, and RSC and illuminate the ªsliding
carº icon solid. From the default/start-up state, the AdvanceTractwith
RSC system will have no lights illuminated (ªsliding carº lamp off). The
AdvanceTractwith RSC ªsliding carº lamp will illuminate when the
AdvanceTractwith RSC button is pressed momentarily.
When the AdvanceTractwith RSC system has been turned off (pressing
the AdvanceTractwith RSC button momentarily) the ªsliding carº lamp
will illuminate solid.
Pressing and holding the AdvanceTractwith RSC button for more than
five seconds will further disable the brake portion of the Traction Control
feature and the ªsliding carº icon will flash momentarily, then illuminate
solid. The ªsliding carº icon will illuminate solid if pressed momentarily.
All these conditions are normal during AdvanceTractwith RSC
operation. Refer to the following table.
Driving
214

AdvanceTractwith RSC Features
Button
functionsªSliding
carº iconRSC ESCEngine
Traction
ControlBrake
Traction
Control
Default at
start-upIlluminated
during bulb
checkEnabled Enabled Enabled Enabled
Button
pressed
momentarilyIlluminated
solidDisabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Enabled
Button
pressed and
held more
than five
secondsFlashes
then
illuminated
solidDisabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)Disabled
below
25 mph
(40 km/h)
Do not alter or modify your vehicle's suspension or steering; the
resulting changes to the vehicle's handling can adversely affect
the AdvanceTractwith RSC system.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a AdvanceTractwith
RSC event is an indication that at least some of the tires have
exceeded their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and
death. If you experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
If a failure is detected in the AdvanceTractwith RSC system, and the
AdvanceTractwith RSC button has not been pushed, the warning
indicator light in the instrument cluster will stay on. If the warning
indicator light in the instrument cluster remains on while the engine is
running, have the system serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
²Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
Driving
215